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@jsabine
From what you've said, I'm assuming you've got the bolt installed through the top cap into the star nut, and the thread's stripped on either the bolt or the star nut, or both.
I'd go up from the bottom of the fork crown with a thin rod, screwdriver, something like that with a smaller diameter than the bolt. Apply gentle pressure to the bottom of the bolt while you unscrew it, and it should begin to back out: it shouldn't be jammed, just has nothing to bite on. Once the head's risen a bit, you can lever it up from the top with a thin screwdriver blade or a pair of needlenose pliers as you keep unscrewing - easier than pissing about under the crown.
Once the bolt's out, knock the star nut further down the steerer (out the bottom if you can) and fit a new one.
If the bolt won't back out, I'd probably cut away the top cap and knock both star nut and bolt down and out.